Preservation

When an oil company threatens a small boarding school, a student worker is thrown into the crossfire between his mentor and the hired guns sent to muscle him out.

Directed by
Calvin Kertzman

Writing Credits (in alphabetical order)
Calvin Kertzman … (story by)
Nathan Vitale

Cast (in credits order)
Mackenzie Beliard Mackenzie Beliard … Elijah
Jack O’Hara Jack O’Hara … James
Elisabeth Weeks Elisabeth Weeks … Clarissa
Ernest Chando Ernest Chando … Deputy Hendricks
Damian Tiburcio Damian Tiburcio … Mike (as Damian Tirburcio)
Christopher Oulette Christopher Oulette … Sheriff Peterson

Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Spencer Delorenzo Spencer Delorenzo … Detective
Davin Intag Davin Intag … Police Officer #3
Calvin Kertzman Calvin Kertzman … Police Officer #4
Matthew McGinn Matthew McGinn … Police Officer #2
Ryan Wells Ryan Wells … Police Officer

Produced by
Davin Intag … producer
Debra Kertzman … line producer / producer
Jennifer Pytleski … executive producer
Jiang Xu … producer

Music by
Gerry Green
William Kertzman

Cinematography by
Spencer Delorenzo

Editing by
Madeline Brownbill
Calvin Kertzman

Production Design by
Aliza Erickson

Set Decoration by
Aliza Erickson

Production Management
Jennifer Pytleski … production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Gerry Green … assistant director
Davin Intag … second unit director
Ryan Wells … second assistant director

Sound Department
Brodie Curtis … sound mixer
Calvin Kertzman … sound designer
Collin Wally … boom operator / sound

Special Effects by
Caelin Piper … special effects

Visual Effects by
Tushar Somkuwar … visual effects

Stunts
Ryan Wells … stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Aliza Erickson … gaffer
Adrianna Gibson … 2nd unit gaffer/lead electric / key grip / lighting technician
Davin Intag … gaffer
Matthew McGinn … assistant camera / camera operator
Marcus Wainwright … 2nd unit key grip / electrician / grip
Jiang Xu … 2nd unit dop / still photographer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Debra Kertzman … costumer

Additional Crew
Allie Ardehali … production assistant
Z Assi … production assistant
Charlie Gordon … production assistant
Aza Johnson … production assistant
Grey Katz … production assistant
James Stenson … production assistant
Shayna Tarr … production assistant
Jesse Thompson … production assistant
Ashleigh Tinkle … production assistant
Clara Young … production assistant

Thanks
Joan Casadamont … very special thanks
Hanadi Elyan … very special thanks
Colin Fickes … very special thanks
Joe Maggio … very special thanks
Diane Pearlman … very special thanks
Sarah Secunda … very special thanks
Crew believed to be complete

Preservation is an Emerson College senior thesis short film directed by Calvin Kertzman for the Bachelor of Fine Arts program. The short was created over a year and produced in collaboration with The Darrow School, Calvin’s former high school, and with mentorship and support from local upstate organizations Stockade Works and Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative.

With a crew composed of over 30 folks from Emerson, Boston, New York, and the school itself, Preservation was an ambitious undertaking for all involved. However, the result ultimately paid off. The ultimate hope with Preservation was to make a short that examined the consequences of violence and taking action.